Canada’s fossil fuel exports a threat to global climate: study

To get serious about climate change, Canada needs to not only cut its consumption of fossil fuels, but also stop peddling fossil fuels in export markets, says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

According to the study, greenhouse gas emissions embodied in Canadian exports of fossil fuels in 2009 were 15% greater than the emissions from all fossil fuel combustion within Canada, and almost four times the emissions from extracting and processing fossil fuels in Canada.

“Canada is more than an addict to fossil fuels,” says CCPA Senior Economist Marc Lee, the study’s lead author. “We are a major dealer. And that has huge consequences for people in other parts of the world who have done little to cause climate change.” Canada’s confirmed fossil fuel reserves are equivalent to 91.4 Gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 emissions, about three times annual global CO2 emissions. Total possible reserves (given changes in technology and economic conditions) are much higher, equivalent to almost 40 years of global emissions at current levels.

“When it comes to carbon, Canada has ‘the bomb’,” Lee says. “The vast majority of our fossil fuel reserves must stay in the ground if we are to have any chance at stabilizing the global climate system.”

The study argues that Canada cannot meet its international emissions commitments under the Copenhagen Accord without confronting GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector, and urges the country to provide climate leadership by changing course.

“In order to become part of the climate change solution, Canada needs to impose a moratorium on new coal mining and oil and gas extraction projects,” Lee concludes.

Peddling GHGs: What is the Carbon Footprint of Canada’s Fossil Fuel Exports? is available HERE.